How to plan for Komodo or Raja

[bvbellomo]

Trim is terrible, and I do end up vertical far too often. But this should have minimal effect if I am not moving.

Switching to a BP+Wing vs my BCD was a big improvement overall. With the BCD, my tank, especially using a 100, flopped around as I had too much slack around my waist. With the Wing, my tank and harness are exactly where I want them and don't move. But I am still adjusting weights. I have HOG pockets on a belt, which work okay. I was supposed to secure them with clips that you are supposed to use a hair dryer to loosen a little. Once I got decided where to put my pockets, my gear was on the boat, so I couldn't use a hair dryer and I wasn't strong enough to get a clip on without it, and the pockets slid around on my belt.

What I really need is to get some trim weight onto my shoulders. I don't need much weight overall with warm water, 6lbs was plenty with a 3mm, and 8lbs was enough with a 5mm hoody added. Moving 4lbs (or even 2lbs) to my shoulders should fix this, along with setting my belt clips. Someone posted a good idea for a shoulder trim weight on another thread of mine here. One more thing I need to do a few test dives before my next trip.

 

[fantarara]

I haven't gone through the replies but I'd suggest you book a flight into Singapore. If Indo closes itself, you have a few options in the region which are easy to get to from SG. Thailand? Philippines? Perth and on to the whale sharks in Ningaloo Reefs?

Once you get to SG, fly to Bali. If things close down, you're in .... Bali! Komodo is closer to Bali than Raja Ampat, but either would work. I think LOB is necessary for Komodo but not R4. The islands of the Komodo archipelago are not inhabited so you can't stay in them, only Labuan Bajo. Whereas much of the island in R4 are inhabited and quite a few have dive operators. So it's possible to do R4 without LOB. Base yourself on one island for 3-5 days, and move between 2-3 islands.

 

[bvbellomo]

I thought Komodo and Raja were different times of year. If I am in Singapore in December, is Komodo really an option?

Liveaboards likely will need to be booked ahead of time, so flying to Singapore before I decide removes a lot of options.

 

[fantarara]

I thought Komodo and Raja were different times of year. If I am in Singapore in December, is Komodo really an option?

Liveaboards likely will need to be booked ahead of time, so flying to Singapore before I decide removes a lot of options.

An experienced Komodo guide can adjust where you go depending on the season. It's a big place. Year-end Komodo LOB is actually a popular option. Anyway, Mr Condo said come anytime Komodo is good year-round (and he's been guiding there since the 1990s). *shrugs*

I must've misunderstood the question. What I meant was in terms of itinerary. SG is a busy place so very unlikely if your flight from LAX is cancelled you will be stuck - most airline have a flight to SG everyday if not multiples/day. Sorong and Labuan Bajo are also big places. It's unheard of there are no flights at all arriving into these places in the course of a week. If your LOB left without you in Sorong/Labuan Bajo, you could charter a speedboat to catch up - it's not like passenger boats where they go full steam ahead. Also, LOBs already require payment in full many weeks before they sail so even if some clients cancel, they still go ahead. Personally if I have 2 weeks I would choose one and not do both Komodo and R4.

 

[fantarara]

Phew finished my tour of the site. Man things really changed around here when they ask you about your tiktok url.

Sorong is the probably the 2nd most important city in the whole of Papua. Waisai is very small and somewhat randomly assigned as 'capital' of a new regency. It's like Boston vs Nantucket. Or Sydney versus ummmm Wagga wagga?

Regarding SAC, someone told me to practice breathing while driving - slow count to 5 when exhaling and inhaling and when that comes naturally, increase the count.

 

[fantarara]

If Indonesia want to bring back the international diving tourism, they can follow what Palau & Bonaire do as far as Covid protocol, i.e.:
1. Negative PCR test 3 days / 48 hours before arrival.
2. Negative Antigen test on arrival.
3. Wear mask in public facilities or when self distancing is not possible.
4. Negative Antigen test on 5th day after arrival

Those countries seem to manage the Covid situation well with the above Covid protocols.

Indo is already doing these. The population of Palau and Bonaire are probably the same as the Jakarta airport on a slow day. Please deh.

 

[Dan]

Indo is already doing these. The population of Palau and Bonaire are probably the same as the Jakarta airport on a slow day. Please deh.

You mean there is no more 7-day mandatory quarantine in a particular hotel and you can go out to town during that period?

From US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia with last update of January 11, 2022 (8 days ago),

COVID-19 Information

Last updated: For travel to the U.S., the following restrictions are in effect: US Citizen or LPR Non-US Citizen If you are fully vaccinated: Starting at

id.usembassy.gov

“Anyone arriving in Indonesia must undertake a mandatory 7-day (as of January 7, 2021) quarantine at facilities designated by the Indonesian government –with all costs borne by the traveler. Indonesian regulations require that all travelers who test positive during hotel quarantine be removed from the primary quarantine hotel and be taken to a government-managed isolation facility.

Travelers must remain for 10-14 days or until he/she receives two negative PCR tests, whichever is longer. Even if the traveler is asymptomatic there will be no release from the isolation facility without two negative PCR tests. The costs for the stay in the isolation facility are the responsibility of the traveler.
A 10-day quarantine with special supervision and protocols will be undertaken for foreign nationals arriving from the 14 countries associated with Omicron-risk (see list below)…”

 

[fantarara]

You mean there is no more 7-day mandatory quarantine in a particular hotel and you can go out to town during that period?

From US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia with last update of January 11, 2022 (8 days ago),

COVID-19 Information

Last updated: For travel to the U.S., the following restrictions are in effect: US Citizen or LPR Non-US Citizen If you are fully vaccinated: Starting at

id.usembassy.gov

“Anyone arriving in Indonesia must undertake a mandatory 7-day (as of January 7, 2021) quarantine at facilities designated by the Indonesian government –with all costs borne by the traveler. Indonesian regulations require that all travelers who test positive during hotel quarantine be removed from the primary quarantine hotel and be taken to a government-managed isolation facility.

Travelers must remain for 10-14 days or until he/she receives two negative PCR tests, whichever is longer. Even if the traveler is asymptomatic there will be no release from the isolation facility without two negative PCR tests. The costs for the stay in the isolation facility are the responsibility of the traveler.
A 10-day quarantine with special supervision and protocols will be undertaken for foreign nationals arriving from the 14 countries associated with Omicron-risk (see list below)…”

I said Indonesia is already doing 1-4 that you posted. Which definitely does not mean "there is no more 7-day mandatory quarantine in a particular hotel and you can go out to town during that period?".

 

[Dan]

I said Indonesia is already doing 1-4 that you posted. Which definitely does not mean "there is no more 7-day mandatory quarantine in a particular hotel and you can go out to town during that period?".

That’s the difference between those countries (Palau, Bonaire & even Thailand) and Indonesia. In those countries there’s no quarantine. Just meet the 4 requirements, then you are free to roam the country just like the local.

 

[Indah]

That’s the difference between those countries (Palau, Bonaire & even Thailand) and Indonesia. In those countries there’s no quarantine. Just meet the 4 requirements, then you are free to roam the country just like the local.

At the moment Thailand not yet I think. Will start again 1 February.